How does SBA make disadvantaged status determinations in considering an SDB protest?
* * * * * (b) Award of contract. (1) If SBA does not issue its determination within the 15-day period, the contracting officer must contact SBA to ascertain when SBA estimates that it will issue its decision, and may only award the contract if he or she determines in writing that there is an immediate need to award the contract and that waiting until SBA makes its determination will harm the public interest (see paragraph (h) of this section for the effect of an SDB status determination or appellate decision). (2) The contracting officer may award the contract after receipt of a protest if the contracting officer determines in writing that an award must be made to prevent significant harm to the public interest (see paragraph (h) of this section for the effect of an SDB status determination or appellate decision). * * * * * (d) * * * (1) Except with respect to a concern which is a current Participant in SBA’s 8(a) BD program and is authorized under ยง 124.1013(b)(3) to submit an affidav
